DOD Announces Casualties 19 to 23-Jan-10

[IndianaGreen]

IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 042-10
January 19, 2010
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Staff Sgt. Anton R. Phillips, 31, of Inglewood, Calif., died Dec. 31, 2009, at Forward Operating Base Methar Lam, Afghanistan. He was assigned to G Forward Support Company, 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Battalion, Task Force Wildhorse, Forward Operating Base Methar Lam, Afghanistan.

The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.

http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=13245

IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 047-10
January 20, 2010
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Spc. Robert Donevski, 19, of Sun City, Ariz., died Jan. 16 in Abad, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when insurgents attacked his unit using small arms fire. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=13249

IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 048-10
January 20, 2010
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOD Identifies Air Force Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of an airman who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Tech. Sgt. Adam K. Ginett, 29, of Knightdale, N.C., died Jan. 19 near Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered from an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron, Aviano Air Base, Italy.

http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=13252

IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 054-10
January 21, 2010
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Sgt. 1st Class Michael P. Shannon, 52, of Canadensis, Pa., died Jan. 17, in Kabul, Afghanistan, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related incident. He was assigned to Headquarters, 7th Army and U.S. Army Europe, Heidelberg, Germany.

The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.

http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=13257

IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 061-10
January 22, 2010
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Capt. Paul Pena, 27, of San Marcos, Texas, died Jan. 19 in Arghandab River Valley, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.

http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=13263

IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 062-10
January 22, 2010
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Staff Sgt. Thaddeus S. Montgomery II, 29, of West Yellowstone, Mont., died Jan. 20 at Korengal Outpost, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.

http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=13264

IMMEDIATE RELEASE No. 063-10
January 23, 2010
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DOD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Pfc. Gifford E. Hurt, 19, of Yonkers, N.Y., died Jan. 20, in Mosul, Iraq, of injuries sustained from a non-combat related accident. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery Regiment, 214th Fires Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Sill, Okla.

The circumstances surrounding the incident are under investigation.

http://www.defense.gov/releases/release.aspx?releaseid=13265

[IndianaGreen]

1. Local news coverage of Staff Sgt. Anton R. Phillips

DOD set to investigate GI’s death in Afghanistan

By Jennifer H. Svan, Stars and Stripes

European edition, Saturday, January 23, 2010

The circumstances surrounding the Dec. 31 death in Afghanistan of a Grafenwöhr, Germany-based soldier are under investigation, the Defense Department announced this week.

Staff Sgt. Anton R. Phillips was assigned to the 5th Maintenance Company, which falls under the 18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade.

DOD announced Phillips’ death only this week, offering no explanation as to why there was such a delay in releasing the information. Phillips died at Forward Operating Base Mehtar Lam, Afghanistan, according to the DOD release. While there, he was assigned to Company G (Forward Support), 77th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Battalion, Task Force Wildhorse.

A U.S. military spokesman in Afghanistan, Col. Wayne Shanks, referred questions about Phillips to the Pentagon. Pentagon officials could not be reached Friday afternoon.

Phillips, 31, was from Inglewood, Calif., according to an entry published on the 82nd Sustainment Brigade’s blog, The Provider. More than 200 soldiers came to pay their respects to Phillips at a memorial ceremony Jan. 3 at Bagram Airfield in Afghanistan, the blog said.

A memorial service for Phillips was also held at Grafenwöhr on Jan. 7, according to a 21st TSC spokesman, Sgt. Maj. Cameron Porter.

The 5th Maintenance Company is deployed to Afghanistan, Porter said.

At the time of his death, Phillips was on his second deployment to Afghanistan, according to the 82nd Sustainment Brigade story, which also noted he is survived by three daughters.

http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=67432

[IndianaGreen]

2. Local news coverage of Spc. Robert Donevski

This undated photo released by the U.S. Army on Jan. 20, 2010, shows Spc. Robert Donevski of Sun City, Ariz., 19, who died Saturday, Jan. 16, 2010, from wounds he suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small-arms fire in Abad, Afghanistan. Donevski was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, at Fort Carson, Colo.

The Associated Press

West Valley man dies in Afghanistan battle

FORT CARSON, Colo. — The Defense Department says a Fort Carson soldier has been killed in Afghanistan.

The Pentagon says 19-year-old Spc. Robert Donevski of Sun City died Saturday from wounds he suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small-arms fire in Abad, Afghanistan.

Donevski was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

He joined the Army in July 2008 and was deployed to Afghanistan in June 2009.

http://www.eastvalleytribune.com/story/149722

Local soldier dies in Afghanistan

A vase of roses on the kitchen counter signifies a son’s final act of love for his mother.

Spc. Robert Donevski, 19, had left a letter for his mom at their home in an unincorporated tract of land between Peoria and Sun City. On his last day of leave, he told her how much he loved her.

"And if anything happened to me, I’ve asked my friends to buy you a dozen roses," he wrote.

And so his best friends brought her the bouquet.

Robert, who was home on leave from Dec. 3-19, died Saturday from wounds he suffered when insurgents attacked his unit with small-arms fire in Abad, in the Korengal Valley of Afghanistan.

He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

Robert joined the Army in July 2008 and was deployed to Afghanistan in June 2009 from Fort Carson, Colo.

He is survived by his parents, Linda and Ganko, and brother, Chris.

http://www.yourwestvalley.com/news/roses-12139-afghanistan-signifies.html

[IndianaGreen]

3. Local news coverage of Tech. Sgt. Adam K. Ginett

Airman from Knightdale killed in Afghanistan

Posted: Jan. 20, 2010
Updated: Today at 12:33 p.m.

Knightdale, N.C. — An Airman from Knightdale died Tuesday in Afghanistan of wounds inflicted by an improvised explosive device, the Department of Defense said Wednesday.

Tech. Sgt. Adam K. Ginett, 29, died near Kandahar Air Field. A 1998 graduate of East Wake High School, he was assigned to the 31st Civil Engineer Squadron at Aviano Air Base in Italy.

Ginett worked in explosive ordinance disposal and was a master sniper.

Ginett was a 1998 graduate of East Wake High School and lived in Knightdale before joining the Air Force at age 18, according to his obituary. His parents, James and Christina Kazakavage, and sister, Sarah Kazakavage, live in Coats.

Ginett served three tours in Iraq and two tours in Afghanistan, his obituary says. He earned the Bronze Star on his first tour in Afghanistan.

He held two bachelor's degrees and a master's degree in criminal justice and political science, according to the obituary.

http://www.wral.com/news/news_briefs/story/6849051/

[IndianaGreen]

4. Local news coverage of Sgt. 1st Class Michael P. Shannon

http://thetimes-tribune.com/polopoly_fs/1.562574.1264106777!/image/4057043819.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_240/4057043819.jpg
This 1997 family photo shows Army Sgt. 1st Class Michael P. Shannon. Sgt. Shannon, from Canadensis, suffered a fatal heart attack while serving in Afghanistan on Sunday, Jan. 17. He was 52. (AP Photo/Family via Pocono Record)

A 52-year-old Canadensis father of three dies of heart attack in Afghanistan

By Beth Brelje
Pocono Record Writer

January 21, 2010 Sgt. 1st Class Michael P. Shannon was seriously funny, recalls his family. He was able to keep a straight face when telling a joke, and often it would take a moment to realize he was kidding.

Shannon, of Canadensis, died from a heart attack Jan. 17 while serving in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan. He was 52.

Shannon is believed to be the first Monroe County member of the military to die in Afghanistan since the war began.

"He was a soldier through and through," said Shannon's wife Donna. He had three children, Rhea, 21, Michel'le, 18, and George, 9. He is also survived by his mother, Lorena Shannon.

"The Army was his life. The only thing equal to the Army in his life was his family," Donna Shannon said.

Michael Shannon enlisted in the Army in 1977 and served for six years. Shannon earned a bachelor's degree at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City, the same city where he was born. Shannon went on to complete a master's degree in criminal justice at Long Island University in Brookville, N.Y., and became a corrections officer in New York City. That is where he met his wife. By 2001, Shannon had retired as an assistant deputy warden.

"He cared about everybody. He was concerned and helpful — too helpful. Any time someone needed him, he was there," recalled Shannon's mother.

http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20100121/NEWS/1210322

NEPA soldier dies in Afghanistan

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: January 21, 2010

CANADENSIS - Sgt. 1st Class Michael P. Shannon would keep a straight face while telling a joke, his family says, and it often took a moment to realize he was kidding.

Though he had a healthy sense of humor, Shannon was serious about the Army.

"He was a soldier through and through," said his wife, Donna. "The Army was his life. The only thing equal to the Army in his life was his family."

Shannon, of Canadensis, suffered a fatal heart attack Sunday while serving in Afghanistan. He was 52.

The New York City native first enlisted in 1977. He earned a bachelor's degree at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, then a master's in criminal justice at Long Island University in Brookville, N.Y.

He met his wife while working as a corrections officer in New York. He retired in 2001 as an assistant deputy warden.

"His attitude was, we're all going die some way," Donna Shannon said. "No one has a master plan to avoid it, so don't use it as an excuse to not do your part for your country and your family. That's the kind of man he was."

He had three children, Rhea, 21, Michel'le, 18, and George, 9. He is also survived by his mother, Lorena Shannon

http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/nepa-soldier-dies-in-afghanistan-1.562270?localLinksEnabled=false

[IndianaGreen]

5. Local news coverage of Capt. Paul Peña

Paul Peña. Photo provided by San Marcos Baptist Academy.

Published: January 22, 2010 01:23 pm

A soldier comes home

Red, white and blue tributes wave for Peña

By Anita Miller
News Editor

San Marcos — Neighbors of Capt. Paul Peña’s mother Cecilia have made her home in the Hills of Hays subdivision a memorial since word of his death came on Wednesday.

In fact, much of the neighborhood is festooned with US flags.

The 27-year-old San Marcos native and 29-year-old Adam Ginett of North Carolina, who died with him, will be mourned in three countries.

“We will remember their sacrifice,” The Canadian Press quoted Canadian Brig. Gen. Daniel Menard as saying. “Their loss will be mourned by Americans, Canadians and the Afghans they served with.”

The two soldiers died of wounds from an improvised explosive device (IED) while on patrol near Kandahar Air Field, Afghanistan. Peña’s remains have since been brought back to the United States.

Peña was a 2000 graduate of San Marcos Baptist Academy and a 2004 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. Upon graduation there, he received a commission as a second lieutenant and advanced to the rank of captain.

Afghanistan was his second deployment, having previously served in Iraq.

Madeline De Long, director of the SMBA’s Alumni Relations, said he “participated in many activities and graduated with highest honors.” De Long said Peña “always had a smile” and called him “the most humble person I have ever met.”

http://www.sanmarcosrecord.com/local/local_story_022121437.html

SMBA grad killed in Afghanistan campaign

By SEAN BATURA
News Reporter

A soldier from San Marcos lost his life this week in Afghanistan.

U.S Army Captain Paul Peña, 27, was killed by an improvised explosive device as he travelled in the American Sector of Afghanistan.

Peña participated in the Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program at San Marcos Baptist Academy (SMBA), where he graduated in 2000 before entering the United States Military Academy at West Point. Pena graduated from West Point in 2004.

Peña was on active duty ever since then, and was deployed to Iraq during 2006 and 2007. Peña deployed to Afghanistan to command a unit sometime after the summer of 2009.

San Marcos Baptist Academy public affairs officer Shelley Henry said Peña died on Monday or Tuesday. Peña’s funeral has not yet been arranged.

“We think it will end up being about the middle of next week,” Henry said.

Henry said the deceased soldier is survived only by his mother Cecilia Peña, who is en route to her son’s body at Dover Air Force Base. Henry said Peña was an Eagle Scout and a member of the National Honors Society.

“In his class, he was voted most likely to succeed,” Henry said. “He was the kind of kid who everybody liked, and will certainly be missed.”

http://www.newstreamz.com/2010/01/20/smba-grad-killed-in-afghanistan-campaign/

[avaistheone1]

6. RIP

One and all.

[IndianaGreen]

7. Local news coverage of Staff Sgt. Thaddeus S. Montgomery II

SSG Thaddeus S. Montgomery

West Yellowstone soldier killed in Afghanistan

Associated Press - January 23, 2010 12:24 AM ET

HELENA, Mont. (AP) - The Department of Defense says a 29-year-old West Yellowstone soldier has died of noncombat related injuries in Afghanistan.

Staff Sgt. Thaddeus S. Montgomery died Wednesday at Lorengal Outpost in Afghanistan's mountainous Kunar Province. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.

The circumstances surrounding his death are being investigated.

The Decatur Daily in Tennessee reported that Montgomery lived in Decatur at one point and attended St. Ann's School and Decatur High School.

Lucy Schrimster, a friend of Montgomery's in Tennessee, told the newspaper he was popular and well-liked, saying, "if you could have seen his smile, you'd have known why."

http://www.montanasnewsstation.com/global/story.asp?s=11865307

DATE OF ENTRY INTO THE ARMY: March 4, 2003

DATE SOLDIER JOINED CURRENT UNIT: December 15, 2005

DEPLOYMENTS AND DATES:

Iraq (OIF): August 2003 - August 2004

Iraq (OIF): October 2006 - December 2007

Afghanistan (OEF): June 7, 2009 - January 20, 2010

HOME OF RECORD: West Yellowstone, Mont.

AWARDS RECEIVED:

Army Commendation Medal - 2

Army Achievement Medal

Meritorious Unit Citation

Army Good Conduct Medal - 2

National Defense Service Medal

Korea Defense Service Medal

Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ Campaign Star

Iraq Campaign Medal w/ two Campaign Stars

Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal

Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon

Army Service Ribbon

Overseas Service Ribbon - 3

NATO Service Medal

Combat Infantry Badge

Expert Infantry Badge

AGE: 29

MOS: 11B - Infantryman

UNIT: 2nd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

http://www.krdo.com/global/story.asp?S=11865060

[swilton]

8. No Parent Should Have to Bury Their Children

As a parent of a recent AF boot camp graduate, this hits home. I saw my son's graduation with around 700 other graduates - so sad. But so many young men and women now are having to go into the service because of the job market. My son went in because his girlfriend, now wife, was pregnant.

A veteran myself, I joined Veterans for Peace in 2002 and tried to stop the Iraq War. But I recently went to a funeral of a colleague at Arlington Cemetary - so many graves and not just for retirees.

[Yurovsky]

9. The sad news just keeps coming...

it seems as though America has been at war forever. Is this ever going to end?

[avaistheone1]

12. I don't think the wars will end anytime in the foreseeable future.

I think the Democrats themselves consider this part of the jobs stimulus - which is pretty sick.

Pumping up the economy through warfare doesn't speak well for our country or our leadership. In the long run these wars will kill the economy more than they are even doing now in the short-term.

[Yurovsky]

13. I was "hoping" BHO would "change" this evil cycle...

wasn't it 50 years ago that Ike warned us about the SOBs who profit from this carnage?

In my heart I think the President wants to end this mess, but keeping W's Defense secretary around probably doomed the chances for any significant movement in this area. Somebody remind me why having a GOP SecDef retread is a good idea for a progressive administration???

Is "SUCKER" written across my forehead in Sharpie marker???

[IndianaGreen]

10. Local news coverage of Pfc. Gifford E. Hurt

Yonkers soldier dies in Iraq; LoHud seeks to interview family or friends

Pfc. Gifford Hurt, of Yonkers, has died while supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom, officials said.

His body arrived Friday at Dover Air Force Base, Del.

Family members watched the transfer of his body from the aircraft, said Lt. Col. Les Carroll.

The Department of Defense has not released details of the death.

A military community Web log said Hurt was killed in a Humvee crash.

http://www.lohud.com/article/20100122/NEWS02/100122009/Yonkers-soldier-dies-in-Iraq--LoHud-seeks-to-interview-family-or-friends

[Wilms]

11. The Grave by Don McLean

http://popup.lala.com/popup/576742266175815699

[lacymiller78]

14. SSG THADDEUS SCOTT MONTGOMERY II

Hello,

I am a good friend of SSG Thaddeus and I found your article on him. I do respect all the information that you wrote in regards to me late friend and our Hero but, There are a few mistakes in the article that I would like to clear up Just our of respect to him. Thad was raised in Decatur Alabama not Tennessee. Mrs. Schrimsher is also from Decatur Alabama not Tennessee and Thad was killed in Combat not a non combat related incident. Thad's family is still looking into why the circumstances regarding his death where released incorrectly and the department of defense is working to correct this information as well. Thank you for writing a lovely article about our dear lost friend. I hope I did not offend you by giving you this information but I feel it is only right to have correct information listed about our fallen heroes.

Thank you and God Bless America,

LBI